Sources of CALIFORNIA BLACKWORMSLumbriculus variegatus
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LOCAL SOURCES: First, try local tropical fish stores or pet shops that specialize in tropical fish. Ask whether they sell living food for fish, specifically California blackworms. If so, find out when/if they receive regular shipments of blackworms and plan on buying worms the day they arrive so that their viability is optimized. A large number may cost about $2. The pet shops will usually store worms in sealed bags in the refrigerator for extended periods of time. This means that some could easily be dead and decaying when you buy them. NOTE: If a mixed quantity of live and dead worms are placed in a small, confined container of water and warmed to room temperature while in a confined space, all worms may quickly die-off. Therefore, it is imperative that worms be rapidly transferred to a large volume of clean spring water immediately after purchase. Avoid thermal shocks when transporting and transferring worms. After the worms are placed in spring water, view them against a light-colored background. Then, remove and discard any worms that appear damaged or necrotic. Gentle aeration is advised, at least until worms have adjusted to their new environment. For lab cultures, subdivide worms into several large-volume containers to create replicate cultures.
For questions, or for information about worm culture, biology, or student lab exercises contact:
Charlie Drewes, Zoology & Genetics, 339 Sci II Bldg,
Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
(ph: 515-294-8061; email: )
For worm biology information, see:
For laboratory rearing of worms, see:
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OTHER COMMERCIAL SOURCES:
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FLINN SCIENTIFIC Inc.
P.O. Box 219
Batavia, IL 60510
[Fax (866452-1436] {Questions/Orders: 1-800-452-1261}
Catalog #: LM1220 (Lumbriculus variegatus for a class of 30)
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AQUATIC RESEARCH ORGANISMS
P.O. Box 1271
One Lafayette Road
Hampton, NH 03842
ph: 800-927-1650 (or 603-926-1650) Fax: 603-926-5278
This company specializes in selling live fish, freshwater invertebrates, marine invertebrates,
and toxicological test kits. They sell Lumbriculus in gram quantities (about $10/g)
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AQUATIC FOODS
3133 N. Argyle
Fresno, CA 93727 ph: (559)291-0623 Fax: (559)291-0601
This company sells large quantities of living and frozen fish food, especially invertebrates.
They sell large quantities of living California blackworms (Lumbriculus).
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CAROLINA BIOLOGICAL
2700 York Road
Burlington, NC 27215 (ph: 1-800-334-5551)
Cat #: RG-14-1720 (Lumbriculus variegatus for class of 30)
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AQUATIC BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
1300 Blue Spruce Drive, Suite C (Ask about 1/2 price discount for HS biology teachers)
Fort Collins, CO 80524 ($7.50/gr = approx 120 worms; plus overnite shipping)
ph: 800/331-5916 FAX: (970)484-2514
They sell Lumbriculus in small quantities to schools and accept purchase order of credit card.